Dear Parishioners,
Last week we heard from St. John’s Gospel of the first miracle of Jesus at the Wedding feast at Cana. Today St. Luke begins his Gospel writing to his friend Theophilus to give him an “ordered account” of all that had happened in Galilee. We then jump to chapter four with Jesus in Nazara reading from the prophet Isaiah and laying out his “Mission Statement” “the Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news…” In the first reading the prophet Ezra unites the people of Israel in their joy of the Lord as they return from exile. St. Paul in our shortened reading also speaks of the people as being one body in Christ.
The feedback from both parishes on the synodal pathway is very encouraging, not only in the number of people who engaged with the discussions both physically and “on line” but on the many strengths and weaknesses that it has highlighted both within and outside our parish communities. In many ways it can help us form a “parish mission statements” to help us better. not only to proclaim “the good news to the poor….”, but to live the good news in our homes, in our schools, in our neighbourhood, as well as in our parish!
With every Prayer and Blessing
Fr. Keith.
MASS OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Saturday 12th February at 4.30pm, If you know of any sick or housebound parishioners who, with help and transport, could come to this Mass please let us know. If you can offer transport so much the better. More details next week.
St. Michael’s Catholic Grammar School, Bermondsey, 6th Form See notice at back of church regarding applications for September2022 .
CATECHETICS
RCIA Monday 24th January at 7.00pm in the Guild Room. Sessions open to all who would like to find out more about their Faith.
CONFIRMATION COURSE Next set of meetings Wednesday February 2nd 7.00pm and Sunday 6th at 6.00pm. All Candidates should also make themselves available to attend the Mass of Anointing on Saturday 12th February at 4.30pm.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME POPLAR Celebration at Masses and Meeting afterwards weekend 5th/6th February.
BAPTISM Parents must attend a Baptism Preparation Course organised by the parish. Cost £10. Collect an application form from the porch and return it to Clergy House. Next Course to be anounced.
WEDDINGS—The Church requires that six month’s notice of any intended wedding be given so that full preparation can be made. Current Covid19 Guidelines restrict what can be done.
STAY SAFE “ROAD MAP”
Face Masks are now mandatory in church unless exempt. Please continue to use Track and Trace Forms or Q code. To respect those who wish to remain a safe distance from others, cards saying “Please leave a Space” are available at the back of both churches.
MASS IN WORD AND SIGN
Takes place on the Second Sunday of each month at 4.30pm in Poplar. All are welcome. Next Mass is on Sunday 13th February.
LIMEHOUSE SYNODAL PATHWAY
We began our “journeying together” in November, with three meetings before Christmas and another meeting last Sunday. The interactive board at the back of the Church offered an additional opportunity for people to read, to comment and to engage with the process. All of the comments are being typed up and will be available for everyone to read very soon. Our feedback form has been sent to the Diocese and this too will be presented to the parish in the near future. Rather than being the end, we hope that the synodal process in Limehouse has just begun and that we will build upon and develop “our journeying together” in the future.
POPLAR SYNODAL PATHWAY
Thank you to all who actively participated in the small groups and those who filled out feedback forms. There is much joy and care in our parish community but sadness also. A need to engage young people, to welcome the marginalised. Making use of new technology has helped throughout the pandemic but there is recognition of the need for personal contact and social interaction. We have come a long way, but our journey continues, and must support, welcome and unite with all who are travelling on this pathway with Christ.
LAST SUNDAY’S OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS
| Envelopes | Loose | Total | |
| POPLAR | £215-10 | £192-01 | £407-11 |
| LIMEHOUSE | £29-50 | £123-38 | £152-88 |
STAY SAFE “ROAD MAP”
Face Masks are now mandatory in church unless exempt. Please continue to use Track and Trace Forms or Q code. To respect those who wish to remain a safe distance from others, cards saying “Please leave a Space” are available at the back of both churches.
WESTMINSTER YEAR BOOK 2022
Giving details of Parishes, Clergy, Schools etc. in our Diocese are on sale in the Repository, price £4.50/£5.00 (ringbound)
GUITAR LESSONS
Alessandro who is one of our choir musicians is offering to teach guitar during the week. If interested please speak to him after Mass.
ART CLASS FOR OVER 60’s
This popular group welcomes new members (aged 60+) on Tuesdays from 2.00pm to 4.00pm in the Guild Room. Beginners welcome. (Entrance in Canton Street).
NEIGHBOURS IN POPLAR
THANK YOU to all who sent in responses to the Synod paper, the responses will be compiled and sent to Westminster. However, I am sure there will be a lot of actions and work to be done to implement the great ideas which are relevant to our own parish. Watch this space!!!!
NIP DINNER PROJECT this continues with our 22,000th delivery this weekend. Thank you to all who donate towards the Food Bank (tea, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, tuna, baked beans always welcome!). Drivers, thank you for your faithful service, what would we do without you? If you would like to help, come to St. Matthias Community Centre at 11:45am on Wednesday or Sunday and we will give you an address and a meal for delivery. We also run a Mini Food Bank, open every Thursday between 11.00am-and 1.00pm (113 Poplar High Street, E14 0AE). Please keep your eyes open for people struggling with food and heating bills. If we can help in any way, we will!
MSF (Doctors Without Borders) – Teas, Coffee and Cakes after the 6.00pm and 10.00am Masses at Poplar this weekend to support the continuing work of MSF especially in Afghanistan where they are running five hospitals to care for the sick and starving, many of whom are children.
ROHINGA WATER WELLS. Most people are aware that the largest Refugee camp in the world is in Bangladesh where there is very little fresh water. A group of young people from Poplar are going to the camp next month in order to build ten tube water wells which will produce arsenic free fresh water. If you would like to support them email: splashcommunity@outlook.com
WANTED! – Underwear, socks, shorts, t-shirts etc. for male and female refugees who have arrived in London with only with the clothes on their backs.
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSE
The Universe Catholic Weekly is thrilled to announce that we have launched our new online newspaper with the full support of our first subscriber none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Order your Digital copy by going to http://www.universecatholicweekly.co.uk or call us on 0743661 7650 [tel:07436617650] and ask for Michelle. Special offer: Only £20 for 3 months.
CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE
The Bishops Conference of England and Wales website has numerous articles on Covid19 and many other subjects. Go to ww.cbcew..org.uk for the latest Catholic News.
PRAYERS PLEASE:
FOR: Those of our parish who are sick: at home or in Hospital, especially Mary Markin and Teresa Johnny, and for those who care for them. All Refugees; Peace in our troubled world; Victims of the Holocaust (Memorial Day Thursday 27th)Our Deanery: Bethnal Green Parish and the Chinese and Lithuanian Chaplaincies; Christian Unity; Those who have died recently, and for all whose anniversaries occur about now.
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